TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning will enjoy home-ice advantage against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
With a 1-0 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, the Lightning finished with 101 points in the Atlantic Division, one more than the Canadiens. Tampa Bay's 46 victories this season tied a franchise record (2003-04 and 2010-11), and their point total ranks third all-time.
The best-of-seven series begins Wednesday at Tampa Bay Times Forum, and Game 2 will be held Friday at the same site before the series shifts to Montreal.
The complete first-round schedule is as follows:
| FIRST-ROUND SCHEDULE |
|---|
|
Game 1 April 16 - at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. |
|
Game 2 April 18 - at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. |
|
Game 3 April 20 - at Montreal, 7 p.m. |
|
Game 4 April 22 - at Montreal, 7 p.m. |
|
Game 5* April 24 - at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. |
|
Game 6* April 27 - at Montreal, TBD |
|
Game 7* April 29 - at Tampa Bay, TBD |
| * -- if necessary |
The Atlantic Division rivals played four times this season, with the Lightning winning three of the four contests. Tampa Bay's only loss came in a shootout.
The Lightning posted a 2-0 record in Montreal and were 1-0-1 in Tampa Bay.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
